Diego Maradona vs Jairzinho: Stats Compared
Forward / Playmaker, Argentina (born 1960, retired 1997) · Right Winger, Brazil (born 1944, retired 1982)
Ask any fan to rank Diego Maradona above or below Jairzinho and you will get a passionate answer. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Diego Maradona finishes with 293 career goals from 582 games — a 0.50 strike rate — against Jairzinho's 350 from 650 at 0.54 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Diego Maradona is listed at 0 and Jairzinho at 60 where figures survive. Diego Maradona departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1986); Jairzinho with 5, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1962, 1970). History will file Diego Maradona under predatory greatness and Jairzinho under mercurial greatness — different shelves, same temple. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Diego Maradona's landmark level arrived around 1986 with a career spanning Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys; Jairzinho's came around 1970 across Botafogo, Marseille, Cruzeiro, Portuguesa, Noroeste. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
188 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Argentine legend who almost single-handedly led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and transformed Napoli into Italian and European contenders.
“A low-centre-of-gravity left-footed genius whose dribbling and playmaking carried teams single-handedly.”
The only man to score in every match of a World Cup-winning campaign (1970), Jairzinho was the explosive right winger of Brazil's most celebrated side.
“A powerful, direct winger who combined electric pace with a thunderous shot, terrorising full-backs down the right flank.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1986)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× Copa Italia (1987)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (1981)
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1962, 1970)
- 3× Campeonato Carioca (1962, 1967, 1968)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1976 Argentinos Juniors debut ten days before his 16th birthday
- 1981 Joined Boca Juniors and won the Argentine league
- 1982 World-record transfer to Barcelona
- 1984 Signed for Napoli for another world-record fee
- 1987 Led Napoli to their first ever Serie A title
- 1990 Captained Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final
- 1997 Played his final professional matches at Boca Juniors
- 1959 Professional debut for Botafogo
- 1962 Won FIFA World Cup with Botafogo
- 1962 Won Campeonato Carioca with Botafogo
- 1970 Reached the peak of his powers at Botafogo
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Noroeste
- Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Diego Maradona the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Diego Maradona edges it (a clear margin)
